Indian universities climb global rankings with IITs leading the way in 2025

The Times Higher Education (THE) rankings and the QS World University Rankings for 2025 have once again shown the increasing number of Indian universities, exhibiting both notable innovations and gradual rises.

Over the years, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have made great strides in the QS World University Rankings, with numerous institutions steadily rising in the rankings.

IIT Bombay is at the top of the group, having risen from 172 in 2023 to 118 in 2025, indicating a consistent improvement in its position internationally.

IIT Delhi has also grown significantly, rising from 197 in 2024 to 150 in 2025, which is indicative of its focus on quality education, innovation, and research.

IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras both notably raised their rankings. IIT Guwahati and IIT Kharagpur also made slight developments, indicating their position in the ranks with continuous advancements.

Indian colleges like Delhi University (DU) and Anna University, in addition to the IITs, have significantly boosted India's ranking in the QS Rankings.

This year's biggest jump was recorded by DU, which went from ranking 521–530 in 2023 to 328 in 2025, demonstrating its growing academic excellence and global prominence.

Anna University, which was formerly ranked between 801 and 1000, has quickly risen to 383 in 2025, showing the institution's increasing emphasis on high-quality education and research.

These enhancements show how Indian colleges are working to meet international standards and draw international attention.

Institutions rising in rankings and new arrivals demonstrate how dynamic Indian higher education is. Both IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee have advanced significantly.

In 2025, IIT Roorkee directly entered into the top 335. Similar to this, IIT Guwahati's consistent improvement from 470 in 2021 to 344 in 2025 illustrates its expanding production of research and academic work.

From 301-350 in 2021 to 251-300 in 2025, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore has continuously remained in the top 300 in the overall category of THE Rankings.

IIT Guwahati and IIT Gandhinagar also showed swings, with the latter rising from 1001+ in 2021 to 601-800 in 2024 before falling to 801-1000 in 2025.

In contrast, IIT Ropar declined, going from 351-400 in 2021 to 801-1000 in 2025.

The top six domestically ranked IITs, IIT Bombay, Madras, Delhi, Roorkee, Kanpur, and Kharagpur, were not included in this year's rankings either.

In 2020, they boycotted the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, claiming that their evaluation lacked "transparency."

In THE Rankings, the NITs have also made progress, with institutions like NIT Silchar and Rourkela rising in the rankings.

Although it fell back to 801-1000 in 2025, NIT Rourkela increased from 1001+ in 2021 to 601-800 in 2024.

In 2023 and 2024, NIT Silchar also established a steady position in the 601–800 range. But over the years, NIT Tiruchirappalli has stayed steady in the 801–1000 range.

The increasing competitiveness of Indian higher education institutions is reflected in the mixed performance other Indian colleges and universities have achieved in the THE Rankings.

Mahatma Gandhi University and Anna University have done well, rising to 401–500 in 2025.

Shoolini University's significant emphasis on research is seen in its constant rankings in the 351-400 and 401-500 groups.

As evidence of their steady academic standing, institutions such as Punjab University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and KIIT University have remained stable in the 501–800 range.

Universities like Delhi Technological University (DTU) and Lovely Professional University (LPU), however, have had difficulty breaking out of the 801–1000 range, indicating the need for a stronger emphasis on research and international cooperation.

While some institutions have made positive progress, others are finding it difficult to keep up with international standards.